6 Things You Must Have at the Pool + Giveaway

One of my favorite things to do as a kid was swim in the pool where my dad and stepmom lived when I was growing up. I would dive for diving eggs, do handstands under the water, play with the pool floats and lay by the pool. There are so many memories I have of the pool when I was a child. Our kids love the pool as well! We have an awesome pool where we live. It’s heated (oh my gosh – so nice) and there is a spa as well. The kids keep asking when they can go to the pool, but it just hasn’t been quite warm enough yet. With the weather warming up and pool season just around the corner, it’s time to start getting prepared. Check out these 5 Things You Must Have at the Pool.

5 Things You Must Have at the Pool

1 – Beach Bag – The first item on my list is a beach bag. You’ll want a beach bag that is big enough and sturdy enough to hold all of your pool goodies. I like to use one that is big and has thick straps – making it easy to carry to and from the pool to our car.

2 – Towels – You definitely don’t want to forget towels. I like to bring one towel for each person going to the pool and then a few extras. The extra towels are good because there is always one towel that ends up in a puddle of water and soaked. I also like to have towels in the van for the kids to sit on. They are usually not all the way dried off when they get out of the pool and to prevent our cloth seats from getting wet, having a towel to sit on is a great option.

3 – Swim Goggles – Our kids love to swim in the pool and love to go under water. Swim goggles are a great way to protect their eyes from the chlorine and other chemicals that go into the water. Plus, the kids will love being able to see under water. We like to have a few extra pairs on hand in case one breaks or isn’t working well.

4 – Pool Toys – Pool toys are always fun to have on hand! Our kids enjoy the diving squids (they are bottom heavy and sink to the bottom of the pool and then the kids can dive for them). They also like to play with pool noodles and pool floats. If any of your pool toys require air, bring an air pump (like one you use for your bike tires).

5 – Snacks & Drinks – It doesn’t matter what time of the day we go to the pool, our kids are always hungry at some point when we’re at the pool. After all, swimming and jumping and moving around takes a lot out of you…and leaves you super hungry. I like to also bring waters or juices for the kids to enjoy at the pool.

6 – Sunscreen – The most important item to have on hand when going to the pool is sunscreen. I always put on sunscreen before our kids get into the pool and then reapply every few hours. It is definitely important to prevent sunburn and the pain that is associated with it.

I was recently introduced to Blue Lizard Sunscreenand we really like it! Blue Lizard was originally created in Australia, where sunscreen standards are the strictest in the world. Blue Lizard is now made in the U.S., in Johnson City, Tennessee. It is a pharmaceutical-grade sunscreen made by Crown Laboratories with the highest quality ingredients and ranked as one of the top sunscreens by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Blue Lizard Sunscreens come in different formulas, but overall this full spectrum sunscreen will keep your family protected while out enjoying time at the pool or other outdoor activities. All Blue Lizard® Australian Sunscreen formulas have an SPF of 30+ and contain at least 6% Zinc Oxide. Blue Lizard® Baby and Sensitive contain only mineral/physical active ingredients Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. These are also paraben-free and fragrance-free. Blue Lizard® Regular and Sport contain a combination of active protectants; chemical absorbers and physical blockers. Plus, these formulations provide water-resistant protection for 80 minutes based on the FDA testing method. Blue Lizard® Face is a gel formulation that contains antioxidant ingredients: green tea, caffeine and vitamin E. This formula is paraben-free and fragrance-free.

One thing that’s really cool about the Blue Lizard sunscreens is that their patented BPA free Smart Bottle™ changes color when exposed to UV light, so don’t forget to take them outdoors to experience the fun! The 5oz bottles change color and the lids on the 3oz tubes do as well. Blue Lizard® Regular, Sport, Sensitive and Face turn blue and Blue Lizard® Baby packaging turns pink.

You can purchase Blue Lizard Sunscreens in stores or online. When purchasing it online, save 20% off orders over $35. Use code P20FILES for 20% OFF orders over $35 at www.bluelizard.net. (Expiration12/31/16)

Get ready for pool time this summer with Blue Lizard Sunscreen! Be sure to follow Blue Lizard Sunscreen on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for product information and more.

Shannon Gurnee (formerly Shannon Gosney) is the author of The Mommy-Files, a national blog with a loyal following. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Marriage, Family, and Human Development with a Minor in Business Management. Shannon and her husband, Frank, have a large family with 6 awesome kids and love living on the Central Coast near San Luis Obispo, California, as well as traveling around the world. A full-time Social Media and Professional Blogger, Shannon also serves as a National Brand Ambassador for many well-known companies. Her blog focuses on motherhood, family fun activities, traveling, fashion, beauty, technology, wedding ideas and recipes while providing professional opinions on products, performances, restaurants, and a variety of businesses.